Brownlee Already Making An Impact

QUEENS, N.Y. -
The beginning of the 2009-10 men's
basketball season is underway and the Red
Storm's junior college additions have
already begun to leave their marks. In two
games, JUCO recruit
Justin Brownlee
is averaging 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds
coming off the bench. Brownlee is among four
recruits for the Red Storm and one of two
junior college players that have been added
to the roster for 2009.

"It's been a long journey, full of
frustration at times," said Brownlee. "But
I'm just happy to be here at St. John's."

After a couple of pit stops along the road,
Brownlee has found his way to the Division I
level of NCAA basketball. Before landing in
New York, Brownlee, who is originally from
Tifton, Ga., would spend a season at City
College of San Francisco (CCSF) and another
at Chipola Junior College in Mariana, Fla.
In mid May, Brownlee would ink his ticket to
Queens, N.Y. where he would get his first
shot at Division I and the BIG EAST
Conference.

As a senior in the state of Georgia,
Brownlee averaged 20.5 points per game,
enough to merit him the Tifton area player
of the year and a first team all-state
selection.

Brownlee's play caught the eye of schools
such as Kansas, Arizona, and Florida State.
But his academic ineligibility would force
him to play elsewhere. He would have to
excel at the junior college level before he
could suit up for a Division I team.

Brownlee starred for the CCSF Rams averaging
nearly 20.0 points per game and earning all
state JUCO honors. Brownlee's next
destination would be Mariana, Fla.

He would encounter success and similar
results at Chipola Junior College.
Brownlee's 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds
helped earn the Indians the top ranking for
the latter half of the NJCAA season.

Alongside several other 09-10 touted
recruits, the team would take a third place
finish in the NJCAA tournament. Brownlee's
contributions earned him all-conference
honors, but most importantly his play would
catch the eye of several suitors vying for
Brownlee's talent in Division I.

In May of 2009, Brownlee would join the Red
Storm as a major addition to their
developing frontcourt. In aid of starters
Justin Burrell
and
Sean Evans,
Brownlee has given the team an area of depth
they had lacked in previous seasons.

"He's brought a few different things to the
table," said head coach
Norm Roberts.
"He's shown the ability to spread out
defenses and connect on his jump shot."

The 6-7, 232-pound wing man will see time at
the power forward position as well as the
small forward spot. His versatility and
ability to bring defenders out as well as
back them down is exactly what Roberts was
looking for.

Roberts feels Brownlee must begin to be able
to make plays off the dribble and defend
better. The transition for Brownlee has
forced him to not only become accustomed to
new surroundings, but develop additional
parts of his game.

"The pace of the game is a lot faster at
this level," said Brownlee. "It's a lot more
physical also."

"I've been working on getting stronger, and
I'm getting in better shape each and every
day," said Brownlee. "I work on my jump shot
every day after practice."

Entering tonight's game against Brown,
Brownlee currently has the highest field
goal percentage on the team (.543).

Getting used to St. John's and their
Division I schedule hasn't provided too many
problems as of yet for Brownlee but he has
taken notice of the new atmosphere.

"I'm used to playing already," said
Brownlee. "Since I've been here in New York,
I've noticed the crowd is more exciting and
there's a lot more media."

Brownlee also added that the team's 2-0
start feels good, and he is still getting
adjusted to the offense.

"I keep getting better and better everyday,"
said Brownlee. "We all would like to make it
to the NCAA Tournament."

The team hasn't left the state of New York
yet this season, and faces another test
tonight against Brown at 7 p.m. With
forwards
Anthony Mason Jr.
and
Rob Thomas
out with injuries, Brownlee has received
large minutes off of the bench. His cross
country trek to the big city has placed
Brownlee in a very favorable position.

"It's been a long journey for him," said
Roberts. "He's stuck to what he's had to do,
he's happy to be here and he's playing at a
high level."